Efficient adsorption of thorium and cerium from Rosetta monazite concentrate using a novel phosphorylated Schiff-base adsorbent

(Pyridine-2,5-diylbis(azaneylylidene)) bis-(methaneylylidene)) bis(benzene-5,1,3-triyl) tetrakis (hydrogen phosphonate) (PZMB) was successfully synthesized for Th(IV) and Ce(IV) adsorption, the adsorption parameters evaluated and found to be pH 3.5, time 60 min, dose 0.15 g. Adsorption kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamics studies. Adsorption kinetics studies show that adsorbent follow pseudo-second-order model while isotherm studies conclude that adsorption processes fitted Langmuir and D-R isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity of BZMB of Th(IV) and Ce(IV) are 366.4 and 244.53 mg/g respectively, Thermodynamic studies indicate both adsorption processes exhibited by the PZMB were endothermic, spontaneous and sorption occurs in a random manner. (author)